Mental Health
Panic Disorder
About Panic Disorder
Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder characterized by recurrent, unexpected panic attacks. These attacks are sudden waves of intense fear or discomfort that reach a peak within minutes.
Common Symptoms
- Sudden and repeated attacks of intense fear
- Feelings of impending doom or danger
- Shortness of breath or hyperventilation
- Heart palpitations or accelerated heart rate
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Trembling or shaking
- Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or faint
- Numbness or tingling sensations
- Sweating
- Fear of losing control or 'going crazy'
Diagnosis
Diagnosis typically involves a thorough medical evaluation by a healthcare professional, including a physical exam to rule out other medical conditions. Mental health professionals use criteria outlined in diagnostic manuals, such as the DSM-5, to assess symptoms and patterns of panic attacks.
Causes
The exact causes of panic disorder are not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic predispositions, brain chemistry, and environmental factors. Stressful life events, trauma, and significant life changes may also play a role in its development.
Treatment Overview
Treatment approaches for panic disorder commonly include psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and medication, which may include antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications. Some individuals also explore complementary approaches like mindfulness, relaxation techniques, or supportive groups. The choice of treatment often depends on individual circumstances and preferences.
Prognosis & Outlook
With appropriate treatment and support, many individuals with panic disorder experience significant improvement in their symptoms and can effectively manage their condition. Long-term management may involve ongoing therapy or medication, and individual outcomes can vary.
Types & Variants
Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia
This involves having panic attacks along with agoraphobia, which is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or help wouldn't be available if you have a panic attack. This often leads to avoiding public transportation, open spaces, or crowds.
What 1 Contributor Has Shared
One contributor described struggling with a comprehensive list of musculoskeletal pains including hip, back, pelvic, and shoulder pain, alongside other symptoms such as tinnitus, dry eye, anxiety, depression, heart palpitations, and skin rashes. These symptoms were often labeled by doctors as arthritis, degenerative disc disease, or spinal stenosis, but the contributor later self-diagnosed with Tension Myoneural Syndrome (TMS) / Neuroplastic symptoms.
This contributor found relief not in biomechanical solutions like physical therapy, chiropractic care, or anti-inflammatory diets, which did not help. Instead, recovery involved discovering the work of various pain specialists, engaging in pain neuroscience education, journaling, pain reprocessing therapy, and somatic tracking. Key to their healing was addressing belief and doubt, learning to feel safe with sensations, graded exposure, and regulating the nervous system.
“Approaches that were part of my recovery”
As described by story contributors
Discovered work of Dr. Sarno, Dr. Schubiner, Dr. Hanscom, Dr. Clarke, Dr. Stracks, Dr. Schechter
Read books by Dr. Sarno, Dr. Schubiner, Dr. Hanscom, Dr. Clarke, Dr. Stracks, Dr. Schechter
Pain neuroscience education
Journaling via Nicole Sachs
Pain reprocessing therapy via Alan Gordon
Somatic tracking via Alan Gordon
Addressing belief and doubt
Learning to feel safe with sensations, thoughts, and emotions
Graded exposure teaching the brain the pain is not dangerous
Visualization
Graded motor imagery
Leaning into positive sensations
“Approaches I tried that didn't help me”
As described by story contributors
Supplements
Changing diet to anti inflammatory or keto
Japanese healer
Castor oil
Icing
Heat
PT
Chiro
Osteopath
Massage
Acupuncture
Sports medicine doctor with rehabilitation classes
Key Realizations & “Aha” Moments
Perspectives shared by story contributors
Structural findings were incidental and not the cause of symptoms
Self-diagnosed with Tension Myoneural Syndrome (TMS) / Neuroplastic symptoms with reassurance from TMS practitioners after ruling out legitimate pathological findings
Most chronic pain is neuroplastic in nature
Pain is very real and physically felt, but doesn’t mean that it is being caused by the structures of the body
The brain and nervous system can cause debilitating symptoms without tissue damage or disease
Neuroplastic pain refers to pain that is created and maintained not by physical injury, but by changes and misfirings in the brain’s neural circuits
The brain can "learn" pain through repeated stress or emotional suppression, creating maladaptive neural pathways (false alarms)
Misfiring pain circuits, shaped by emotional states and life stress, cause the brain to perceive pain even when there is no physical cause
Mindbody symptoms often result from stress and nervous system dysregulation, suppressed or unprocessed emotions, learned neural pathways in the brain, and an overactive fear response
Support Systems Contributors Mentioned
Types of support described by story contributors
Reassurance from TMS practitioners
Advice from Those Who've Been There
Suggestions shared by story contributors
- “Understand that most chronic pain is neuroplastic in nature”
- “Recognize that pain can be very real and physically felt even without structural damage”
- “Learn that the brain and nervous system can cause debilitating symptoms in the absence of tissue damage or disease”
- “Acknowledge that neuroplastic pain is created and maintained by changes and misfirings in the brain’s neural circuits”
- “Be aware that the brain can "learn" pain through repeated stress or emotional suppression”
- “Understand that mindbody symptoms, including chronic pain, often result from stress, nervous system dysregulation, suppressed emotions, learned neural pathways, and an overactive fear response”
These insights reflect what individual contributors reported about their own experiences. Results vary — what helps one person may not help another. This is not medical advice.
Stories (1)
Real journeys shared by contributors
Have a story about Panic Disorder?
Your documented recovery could inspire thousands. Share your journey with proof and join our growing archive of recoveries.
Start Your Submission